Why Do Llamas Spit?

Spitting is a natural behavior common amongst all camelids. So what is a Camelid, you may ask

This taxonomy chart shows the classification of the Family of Camelids to which llamas belong. There are 6 species in the Camelid family; Llamas and Guanacos, Alpacas and Vicunas, and Dromedary and Bactrian Camels. They all share similar traits, and they all do spit.

Llamas are much maligned and misunderstood when it comes to spitting. This is often the first topic of conversation when our guests arrive at the barn. So we like to clear the air and put everyone’s mind at rest.

A lot of people believe, and have been told, that the reason behind the behavior is that llamas spit in self-defense. However, this is not the case. Llamas spit  on each other. It is the method that they use to keep order in the herd.

A male llama will spit at other male llamas to assert dominance. The leader of the herd is referred to as the Alpha. Alpha wannabe’s will often challenge the current leader of the pack by instigating a spitting match. This usually escalates to neck wrestling and chest butting until one or the other cries ‘Uncle’.

 

 

 

 

Llamas will spit to settle arguments over food, or if another llama invades his personal space. Female llamas will spit at each other as well, often to correct their young or other female llamas beneath them. An interesting note: one way llama breeders determine if a female llama is pregnant is to introduce her to an intact male. If she spits at him to ward off his amorous advances, it is likely she is pregnant. This is appropriately called “spitting off”.

It is rare for a well socialized llama to spit at a human. If a llama has a tendency to spit at people, it is usually a product of how it was raised. If a baby llama is cuddled too much or bottle fed, the youngster, called a cria, imprints on his people and starts to think of them as his family. When the young llama reaches adolescence, he begins to treat people as he would other llamas which results in spitting and other inappropriate physical behaviors.

Frequently, llamas kept in petting zoos will spit at people. Most likely they were taken away from their mothers and the herd at too early an age, and they never learned how to behave like a properly socialized llama.

Usually llamas give fair warning before spewing the green goo. They will raise their nose to the sky and pin the ears down to the neck, and if that isn’t enough to deter the offender, they will blow out some saliva with a ‘ppfffffffft’ sound. If that still doesn’t get the message across, the llama will pull deep from the 3rd stomach and eject foul smelling partially digested food. They can spit with good aim up to 8-10 feet.

Here is Coffee Bean demonstrating.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The funny thing, is that neither the spitter nor the spittee like the experience. After a spit fest, both will hang their lower lips and drool green stuff for several minutes, trying to get the taste out of their mouths. It’s really a funny thing to watch. Sometimes they will go in search of a yummy leaf to help freshen up their mouth.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

So, if you are in close proximity to a group of llamas, watch their ears. When you see the nose in the air, you might want to step to the side. The greatest danger is to be in the line of fire between two disgruntled llamas.

And anyway, it all washes off.